Iron Gate
Guards 1/12 - Verse 12
Low defensive guard that covers and counters all attacks
Translation
The Iron Gate is positioned low to the ground, with the sword point angled downward, creating a strong defensive posture. This guard is excellent for waiting and responding to attacks from any weapon, whether long or short, as long as your sword is of good quality and not excessively long. From this guard, you can: (1) Pass forward with a cover (crossing swords defensively) to enter the narrow play where both fighters have their right foot forward; (2) Exchange thrusts with your opponent, delivering your own thrust as you deflect theirs; (3) Beat incoming thrusts downward to the ground as you step. (4) Cover against strikes from any angle by moving with passing steps. This guard allows you to make strong defences without exhausting yourself, even against aggressive opponents.
Fiore's Words
I am the Full Iron Gate, low and firmly placed, the first of twelve guards, in great strength I'm based. I wait for all weapons, both long and short in hand, with a good sword beneath me, against all I stand. I pass with my cover and move to narrow ground. I exchange the thrusts, and my own point is found. I beat thrusts to earth as I step without fear, and cover every blow from whatever appears. Whoever brings the brawl to where I hold my place will find I make great defence without strain or haste.
Combat Context
Iron Gate is a defensive waiting guard that invites your opponent to attack while maintaining a strong defensive position. It is particularly effective when facing an opponent with a longer weapon or when you want to conserve energy while remaining safe. The low position protects your lower body while allowing quick upward responses to counter high attacks. From this guard, you can control the opponent's attacks by covering, deflecting, or beating them aside while simultaneously counter-attacking. It is ideal for patient fighters who prefer responding to aggression rather than initiating, and who want to defend efficiently without exhausting themselves.
Training Notes
- ✦ Position the sword low with the point angled toward the ground, creating a strong base that protects the lower lines
- ✦ Focus on maintaining structure in the guard - the strength comes from proper body mechanics, not muscle tension
- ✦ Practice the passing step with cover: as you step forward, bring your sword up to cross with the opponent's weapon
- ✦ When exchanging thrusts, deflect the incoming thrust offline while simultaneously extending your own point
- ✦ The guard should feel effortless to maintain ('senza fadiga') - if you're straining, check your structure
- ✦ Emphasise that this is a waiting guard - let the opponent commit first, then respond with covers and counters
This is card FL12 from the Fiore dei Liberi Sword In Two Hands deck.
Get the full deck of 78 physical training cards.
Get the deck →Next deck: Fiore Dagger - ~35 cards, in development.
· Porta di Ferro, pulsativa · [23v-a] ¶ Qui cominzano le guardie di spada a doii man. E sono ·ⅻ· guardie. La prima si e tutta porta di ferro che sta in grande forteza, E si e bona d'aspetar ogn'arma manuale longa e curta[24] E pur che'l habia bona spada non curi[!] di troppa longeza. Ella passa cum coverta e va ale strette. Ela scambia le punte e le soii ella mette. Anchora rebatte le punte a terra, e sempre va cum passo e de ogni colpo, ella fa coverta. E chi in quella gli da briga grande deffese fa senza fadiga.
Here begin the guards of the two handed sword, of which there are twelve. The first is the low[19] Iron Gate, which is a very strong guard, and a good guard in which to wait for an attack by every kind of hand-held weapon, whatever its length,[20] as long as you have a good sword that is not too long. And from this guard if you make cover with a passing step you move to the Narrow Game.[21] Or you can exchange thrusts, striking home with yours.[22] Or, as you step, you can beat the opponent’s thrust to the ground.[23] And this guard can cover attacks from all angles.
[12r-a] Aqui comenzano le guardie de spada a do mane e sono ·ⅻ· guardie, e la prima si e tuta porta di ferro che sta in grande forteza e si e bona da aspetar ogni arma manuale longa, e curta, e pur ch'ello abia bona spada non cura de tropa longheza. Ella passa cum coverte e va ale strette. Ella scambia le punte e le soi ella mette. Anchora rebatte le punte a terra, e sempre va cum passi e de ogni colpo ella fa coverta. E chi in quella gle da briga grande defese fa senza fadiga.
Here commence the guards of the sword in two hands, and there are 12 guards, and the first is the Full Iron Gate which stands in great strength and is good for awaiting all hand-held weapons, both extended and withdrawn, as long as she has good sword (not one of too much length). She steps with a cover and goes to the narrow, she exchanges thrusts and she delivers her own; she also beats thrusts to the ground and always goes with steps, and against all blows she makes a cover. And whoever joins a brawl with her will make great defense without fatigue.
[18a] Poste e guardie chiamare per nome si façemo E una simille cum l'altra contrarie noii semo E segondo che noii staxemo e semo poste De far l'una contra l'altra façemo le mostre [18a-a] Tuta porta de fero son la piana terena Che tagli e punte sempre si refrena
We are called stances and guards by name, And we are each one similar and contrary to another; And following the way we stand and are positioned, We will demonstrate how to make one against another. The Full Iron Gate, I am low to the ground So that I always restrain cuts and thrusts.
[12v] ¶ Nomine quisque vocat[25] situs / et custodia fallax. Altera consimilis aliae / contraria [26] necnon. Sicut et hic posite / similes sic prendimus actus. [12v-a] ¶ Ferrea porta vocor terrena aequaliter ab omni / Quae semper reparo / cesurae et cuspidis ictus.
Each one <read: us> calls the position by name, and the deceptive guard. The second is similar to another, and indeed to the counter. And just as this has been placed, so we understand similar action. I am called the Iron Gate, equal to the earth from all; I always prepare something again, chop and strike with the point.